“Now the God of peace… equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20, 21
Dear Friends,
My actions matter to God. Although I am totally accepted and justified because of Christ’s atonement, the Holy Spirit works to demonstrate Christ-likeness through my life. Hebrews 11:6 states: And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. My actions must be done in faith. Paul exhorts the believers in Rome: I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship (Romans 12:1). My actions are an act of worship. In Revelation God commends and disciplines the seven churches because of their deeds. Likewise, my actions are noticed by our Heavenly Father.
We are created for good works. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). We have been instructed to do good deeds. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6: 8). And our Savior said in John 17:4, I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. Jesus pleased the Father by obeying, accomplishing His intended purpose.
Kevin DeYoung in his book, The Hole in Our Holiness, states it this way: “God is pleased through Christ to accept our sincere obedience, although it contains many weaknesses and imperfections.” He refers to Chapter 16 in the Westminster Confession of Faith. DeYoung goes on to say, “even the smallest act of obedience is an event worth celebrating.” I love Mark 9:41 where it says, “For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward”, and in Matthew 25:40 it states, “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
Think about when our children are learning to walk. Do we scold them when they fall down? No, we applaud their every step. Did our love for them increase because they walked? No. However it pleases us to see them do it, because that was what they were created to do.
God gave us the privilege to join Him in what He is already doing. He will accomplish His will. My obedience does matter. It does please God, because it comes through grace and faith empowered by His Holy Spirit. As a result, He will entrust me with more responsibility. I desire God to trust me!
We finished 2016 in a very positive position both spiritually and financially. We are so grateful. We praise His name for 2016 and we anticipate an even greater 2017 as we pray and plan.
Thank you for acting on the prompting of His Spirit by praying for, being involved in, and supporting this ministry. May we please the Father, Son and Holy Spirit by exercising faith, intentionality and Holy Spirit empowered obedience.
In our Lord,
Phil Reddick